Hilltoppers Continue CUSA Play at Sam Houston on Wednesday

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Hilltopper Basketball enters its second week of Conference USA competition with a road matchup facing Sam Houston on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. CT in Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. The Tops enter the game facing the Bearkats riding an eight-game winning streak while standing at 12-3 overall and sitting atop the current CUSA standings.

Game Info
WKU (12-3; 1-0) vs. Sam Houston (8-8; 1-0)
Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 6:30 p.m. CT
Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum | Huntsville, Texas
Game Links: ESPN+ | 100.7-FM (WKLX)/Varsity Network | Live Stats | Tickets

2023-24 Conference Campaign
WKU defeated Liberty last Saturday, Jan. 6 to earn its 12^th win of the season and open conference competition for 2023-24 at 1-0. The game against the Flames marked the first-ever meeting between the Tops and CUSA newcomer Liberty.

The win earned the Hilltoppers a No. 17 ranking in the College Insider Inc. Men's Mid-Major Top 25. The Mid-Major Top 25 poll is voted on by 31 Division I coaches across the country.

Onward to 2024…
WKU wrapped a perfect 6-0 December with a win over Abilene Christian on Dec. 30. The Tops' 11-3 mark served as the best 14-game start for the Hilltoppers since the 2001-02 season. The 11 non-conference wins marked the most by WKU since 2017-18.

Top(s) Performers
Don McHenry
McHenry currently leads the Hilltoppers in scoring with 15.1 points per game and charts as the second-leading scorer in the CUSA. The junior native of Milwaukee also leads the team in total assists with 39 (2.6/game) and charts a team-high 3-point FG% with a .364% mark from range. McHenry has started all 15 games for WKU this season and leads the team in average minutes played at 25.3 per game.

McHenry's 44-of-51 (.863%) mark from the free-throw line is good for best on the team for 10-or-more attempts. McHenry has shot .500% or better from the field in 10 of the Hilltoppers' 15 games so far this season. A threat at both ends of the court, McHenry has also notched 11 steals on the year, good for fifth best on the team.

The junior guard's career-high 30 points in a 91-84 victory over Wright State on Dec. 12 and team-high 16 points in a 65-64 win at home over Austin Peay on Dec. 16 earned McHenry CUSA Player of the Week honors on Dec. 18.

Khristian Lander
Lander was named CUSA Player of the Week on Jan. 1 after finishing with 19 points through 31 minutes of play and accounting for a game-winning bucket in the Tops' win over Abilene Christian on Dec. 30. The native of Evansville, Ind. also charted six rebounds, three assists and a steal.

The 19 points in the win over ACU serves as the senior guard's second-highest point total for the 2023-24 season. Lander is currently averaging 9.8 points per game and touts the team's second-highest 3-point FG% at .351%.

Where The Tops Stack Up
WKU currently sits atop the CUSA standings and boasts the top-scoring offense in the conference at 79.67 points per game. The Tops rank No. 2 in the nation in tempo and have totaled 80 or more points in seven games this season, as well as 90 or more points in four games this season.

WKU currently charts as the top rebounding team in the CUSA and ranks 17^th nationally in rebounds with 41.87 per game. The Hilltoppers rank 16th in the nation in three-point percentage defense, limiting opponents to a 27.5% mark from range.

WKU currently ranks 41^st in the nation in bench points per game (28.47) and 45^th in the nation in forced turnovers per game (15.07).

Babacar Faye currently ranks second in the CUSA in offensive rebounds, while Brandon Newman ranks second in defensive rebounds. Tyrone Marshall Jr. is tied for third in the conference in blocked shots (20) and ranks fifth in total steals (25).

Road Trip to Texas
Wednesday's game at Sam Houston will broadcast live on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. CT with live stats available. Hilltopper fans can also tune in live and listen on 100.7-FM (WKLX) or The Varsity Network mobile app with Hal Schmitt and Randy Lee on the call.

Follow the team on social media (@wkubasketball) for the latest news and updates on all things Hilltopper Basketball. Visit wkusports.com for more information.

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Players Mentioned

Babacar Faye

Khristian Lander

Tyrone Marshall Jr.

Don McHenry

Brandon Newman